The Ultimate List: Top 10 UFC Fighters of All Time

Discover the top 10 UFC fighters of all time, including Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Jon Jones and more. Learn about their skills and accomplishments in the octagon.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, has come a long way since its inception in 1993. What started as a small-scale tournament to determine the best fighting style has grown into a global phenomenon, with millions of fans tuning in to watch some of the world’s best fighters compete in the octagon. Over the years, many fighters have come and gone, but a select few have risen above the rest to become the best. We will be break down the top 10 UFC fighters of all time for you so sit back, relax and enjoy.

Criteria for Ranking the Top 10 UFC all-time fighters

Before we dive in, it’s important to establish the criteria that we used to determine the rankings. We based our positions on a combination of factors including:

Record: A fighter’s win-loss record is a key indicator of their success in the octagon. We gave more weight to fighters with a high number of wins and a low number of losses.

Championship Wins: Winning a UFC championship is the pinnacle of a fighter’s career. We considered the number of times a fighter has won a championship and how dominant they were during their reign.

Legacy: A fighter’s legacy refers to their impact on the sport of MMA beyond their time in the octagon. We looked at how much of a difference a fighter has had on the UFC and the MMA.

Impact on the Sport: Some fighters have changed the game of MMA in significant ways. We considered how they contributed to the UFC’s evolution.

Top 10 UFC Fighters of All Time

Now, without further ado, let’s look at some of the top dogs.

Georges St-Pierre

Widely regarded as one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time. He held the welterweight championship for a total of 2,204 days, which is the longest reign in UFC history. With an impressive record of 26 wins and 2 losses, St-Pierre has defeated some of the biggest names in the sport. This includes the likes of Matt Hughes, BJ Penn and Nick Diaz. He is known for his well-rounded skillset and ability to adapt his game plan per opponent.

Anderson Silva

A UFC Hall of Famer and one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history. Silva held the middleweight championship for a record-breaking 2,457 days and successfully defended his title 10 times. His impressive record of 34 wins and 11 losses includes wins over some of the top fighters in his weight class. Even including Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort. He is known for his striking ability and mastery of the clinch.

Jon Jones

Widely regarded as one of the most talented fighters in UFC history despite his controversies outside of the octagon. With a record of 26 wins, 1 loss and 1 no contest, Jones has successfully defended the light heavyweight championship eight times. His unorthodox fighting style and ability to dominate opponents both on feet and the ground are what he is famous for.

Conor McGregor

McGregor burst onto the UFC scene in 2013 and quickly became one of the biggest stars in the sport. With a record of 22 wins and 5 losses, McGregor has defeated some of the top fighters in his weight class including Jose Aldo and Eddie Alvarez. He is known for his striking ability and his trash-talking skills. This has helped bring the UFC to new heights of popularity.

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Widely regarded one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. Nurmagomedov holds a perfect record of 29 wins and no losses and is known for his exceptional wrestling ability and ground control. He held the lightweight championship for over three years and defended it successfully three times before retiring in 2020 undefeated.

Fedor Emelianenko

Emelianenko is a Legendary heavyweight fighter who started his career in Pride Fighting Championships before transitioning to the UFC. With a record of 39 wins to 6 losses, he has beaten some of the top fighters in the sport. This includes legends like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Mirko Cro Cop. He is well-known for his striking ability and aggressive fighting style.

Matt Hughes

UFC Hall of Famer and one of the most dominant welterweight fighters of all time. With a record of 45 wins to 9 losses, Hughes successfully defended the welterweight championship seven times. He is known for his excellent ground control skills which allow him to dominate his opponents on the mat.

Randy Couture

Highly versatile UFC fighter and a Hall of Famer, holding championships in two different weight classes. With a record of 19 wins and 11 losses, Couture successfully defended his titles five times by adapting his game plan to each opponent. His wrestling skills are a standout feature.

Jose Aldo

Former featherweight champion and one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history. With a record of 29 wins to 7 losses, Aldo successfully defended his championship a total of seven times. He is known for his striking ability and his ability to finish fights, with an impressive 17 of his wins coming by way of knockout. Aldo’s aggressive fighting style and ability to read opponents make him a formidable opponent in the octagon.

Demetrious Johnson

Widely regarded as one of the most technical fighters in UFC history. With a record of 30 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw, Johnson held the flyweight championship for a record-breaking 2,142 days and successfully defended it a total of 11 times. He is known for his speed and agility, as well as his ability to dominate opponents both on the feet and on the ground

Honorable Mentions

While we could only include the top 10 fighters of all time on our list there are many other UFC legends who deserve recognition. Some of our honorable mentions include:

1. Chuck Liddell – A former light heavyweight champion. Loved for his knockout power and exciting fights.
2. Tito Ortiz – Pioneer of the UFC, known for his rivalry with Chuck Liddell.
3. Royce Gracie – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pioneer and winner of the first UFC tournament back in 1993.
4. Dan Henderson – A former two-division champion and Olympic wrestler. Famous for his incredible knockout power.
5. BJ Penn – Ex-lightweight and welterweight champion. Popular for his well rounded skills and exciting fights.

Recapping: Top 10 UFC Fighters of All Time

The UFC has produced some of the greatest fighters in combat sports history and these top 10 represent the cream of the crop. From the speed and technical ability of Demetrious Johnson to the dominant wrestling of Khabib Nurmagomedov, each of these fighters has left an indelible mark on the sport. While everyone may have their own opinion on who the greatest UFC fighter of all time is, there is no denying the talent and skill of these 10 athletes.

Whether you’re a die-hard UFC fan or just getting into the sport these fighters are worth watching and studying. By analyzing their fighting styles and techniques, you can learn more about the intricacies of mixed martial arts and gain a greater appreciation for the sport.

As the UFC continues to grow in popularity, we can expect to see more incredible athletes emerge and make their mark on the sport. But for now, these 10 fighters will always be remembered as some of the greatest to ever step foot in the octagon.